OK so I think my diet is messed up.

Hey guys, I'm realtively new here, like 20 mins new, and i've wanted to clarify some problems about my diet after browsing this forum for a few mins.

Basic info anyway, I'm 67kg now(147 pounds), 165cm(5 feet 4?) and am turning 17 in a few weeks time. I'm a boy/kid/guy whatever suits you best.

So since two weeks ago, i've started an active lifestyle, watched and reduced my calorie intake and i feel much much much healthier and alive since i quit my sedentary lifestyle. The true reason I want to lose(in a rush I must say) is so that i can get a new makeover for myself before my national exam results are out next year which is around march 2010. I must say i'm highly motivated about losing my weight and my desire to lose it can get truly spartan at times.

So anyway, I've been browsing on this forum for a while and made a somewhat shocking discovery.

I came across this topic:http://caloriecount.about.com/calling-all-you ng-ccers-share-meals-ft150941

I realised that its said that 1) Any menu that does not total or appear to total at least 1500 calories for a female under 21 or 1800 for a male under 21 will be removed. Please remember the minimum guidelines for a female and male under 21 are as above and are the sedentary minimums; if you work out, or are not very short and very small you will need more than this. Consumption of less than this comes with a great many related dangers, even if it is only by 100 or 200 calories and can stunt growth and development in the long run."

My current diet(note that i'm a boy) is around 1400-1600 calories average per day. I'm very worried about this knowing my diet's calories are waaay below the guideline. I consulted my sis, and she mentioned that where your calories come from that matters. She says that if you have sufficient amount of protein, complex carbs, vitamins and bla bla bla, you can still maintain that diet and not worry about long term effects.

I'm currently very worried about this because i know i'm actually considered short for a boy of my age, at least compared to all my other friends.

So is it true? Will a diet less than 1800 calories for a boy really stunt a growth, despite having the proper amounts of nutrients for growth really stunting? Or is what my sister said true?

Please enlighten me.

It happened to me (female, 14 yrs old). How old are you? You may still have time to regain height lost from not eating enough calories. If you increase your caloric intake to 1800 - 2000 calories, I suspect you might keep growing. On the other hand, if you are just naturally short and your current height is close to your expected height, I would just aim for 1600 calories because your natural smaller size probably requires fewer calories than a guy who is 5' 11".

You should aim for at least 1800 cals/day.  PERIOD.

Since I don't know the general height of people in your family, I can't comment on how tall you are/might be/should be...  Some people are short, some are tall.  It can be affected by your diet if you undereat, but that's a relatively unimportant thing to consider.

What's most important is the overall development of your body - brain tissue/functioning, organs, and general health.  At 17, you're still developing.  If you undereat now, it could have lasting effects on your overall health, your mental abilities in the future, and your ability to learn new things now... among other physical problems.

Young people need more calories to support all this development that is going on ...even when you're sitting on your rump watching tv or sleeping.

Be sure to eat enough.

By the way, you don't sound overweight to me.  If you want to 'look better', try lifting some weights to give yourself some muscle definition.

5'4" 147 lbs is a bmi of 24.5, 20-25 is considered normal.  However, you are still growing at 17 so i wouldn't be too worried about it.  Like the last poster said try working out at a gym. 

agreed with what everyone else said:

1. make sure to eat MINIMUM 1800 calories. you're still growing. and if you're working out, you'll need more than 1800. your sister is right that you do need to get all the right nutrients and stuff- but that doesn't mean you don't need more calories.

2. rather than trying to lose weight, build muscle. so exercise, and eat more protein. you won't necessarily weigh any less on the scale, but you will look thinner and be more toned.

good luck!